PWA Foilstyle Invitational Shanghai

What Happens When You Combine Shanghai with Foil Freestyle? We Are About to Find Out with Latest Addition to the World Tour Set to Begin

After a short hop, skip and a jump the PWA World Tour is now in China as professional windsurfing comes to China for the very first time for the 2026 Shanghai Freestyle Foil Invitational, which features 13 invite only athletes and will take place at Yuandang Lake between 7th-11th November.

Foil Freestyle is still in its relative infancy, so this marks a major milestone for windsurfing’s newest discipline, which can deliver explosive action in much lighter winds and offer far greater height thanks to the foil. Combine this with windsurfing being brought to one of the biggest and most dynamic cities in the world and you have a recipe for a totally unique event.

A Unique Opportunity For Windsurfing

Shanghai is not only China’s largest city, but it serves as the mainland’s economic, financial, trade and shipping centre - being the busiest container port in the world. This provides the opportunity to showcase windsurfing to a totally different market to normal, in a city which is known for its innovation and open-mindedness, while also boasting a rich historical and cultural heritage.

Yuandang Lake itself is located about about 100km west of Shanghai Pudong International Airport and takes about 60-90 minutes to travel to by car. As well as competing in the first ever PWA Freestyle Foil exhibition, the sailors will also be treated to two tourist activities so they will be able to immerse themselves in Shanghai’s rich culture.

With Foil Freestyle still being such a relatively new discipline, we caught up with the man who has been at the forefront of its innovation - Balz Müller (Severne Windsurfing )- to find out a bit more about what to expect:

Balz Müller getting accustomed to life in Asia at the Royal Tulip ZhuJiaJiao Shanghai Hotel

PWA: Hey Balz, first off, you're pretty much the guy who pushed foil freestyle into the spotlight. What does it feel like to finally have an event dedicated specifically to it on the World Tour?

Balz Müller: “It feels like all the dedication to foil freestyle’s potential is finally paying off. I’ve honestly dreamed about what’s happening here for years. I always knew the discipline had the potential, even though it’s still a very niche part of the sport. I don’t know where it will evolve from here, but I’m just so stoked that 12 or 13 of us dedicated the time and passion to come out to Shanghai to try and give it the coverage it warrants. No one knows what to expect, and that’s mind-boggling.”

PWA: As you mentioned, this is your first time in Asia. What are your initial impressions?

Balz Müller: “Well, starting right at the baggage claim, people were so friendly—everyone welcomed us with open arms. They were a bit confused by the gear, though; twice they asked if it was a snowboard because I'm from Switzerland. I had to keep explaining it was windsurfing. I didn’t even try bringing foil into it, as that would've confused them even more! But overall, it's been a very warm welcome for all the riders. I just hope the conditions and the environment follow suit."

PWA: For people who follow traditional freestyle, what moves can they expect to see in foil freestyle? It’s completely new to a lot of viewers.

Balz Müller: “It really is new to most people. Being fully immersed in it, I’ve actually evolved to the point where I'm more consistent on the foil than on a standard fin. If conditions allow, I'll be going for all the latest manoeuvres, including most of the double power moves that you see in regular Freestyle, alongside some entirely new tricks.”

PWA: What are your ideal conditions?

Balz Müller: “Ideally, stronger gusts. I don't mind gusty conditions, but you need enough base wind to get going. If the average is 8 to 10 knots, that’s workable, but we need gusts around 15 or 16 knots to get the extra speed required for double power moves.

Regardless, we’re going to see backloops on completely flat water. That’s been the real game changer with foiling—being able to generate your own lift and pull off massive air moves on flat water is insane. Showcasing the future potential of this discipline is amazing.”

PWA: Thanks, Balz. Hopefully, it’s going to be a great week.

Who’s Invited?

• Lennart Neubauer (GRE | Starboard / Severne Sails / Maui Ultra Fins)

• Balz Müller (SUI | Severne Windsurfing)

• Yentel Caers (BEL | JP / NeilPryde)

• Steven Van Broeckhoven (BEL | WeOne / GUNSAILS)

• Takumi Moriya (JPN | Severne Windsurfing)

• Sam Esteve (FRA | JP / NeilPryde)

• George Grisley (UK | Duotone Windsurfing)

• Tigo Kort (NED | JP / NeilPryde)

• Bodhi Kempen (NED | Duotone Windsurfing)

• Tim Gerdes (CZE | HeyYou Sails)

• Dudu Levi (ISR | Future Fly / GUNSAILS)

• Luka Stomp (CUR | Point-7)

• Leander Helm (GER | Starboard / Severne Sails)

You can stay up to date with all the latest developments from China — including elimination ladders, entry list, images and live ticker simply by clicking HERE and scrolling to the bottom of the page.